The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-07

1t was first prayer-meeting, thanksgiving
and praise-meetings anywhere and
everywhere, in prison and out Of prison.
Now we are introduced 10 the Phillippian
jaier, though under very peculiar circum-
stances We have no record OF the man S
character Now / want to bring this
Phillippian jailer right here on to this plat
form and question him.
"Do you believe, jailor, in being scared
into religion? Now, there was an earth
quake, and it seems to me an earthquake
is a pretty shaky foundation for religion"
"Wcll, that is the popular way OF re-
gardng that question. Now, fear, in my
case, worked first rate. The question was,
whom shall i fear-God or the Roman
government? When / thought OF the
government wanted TO kill myself, but
when thought of God was struck with
awe and fear" My friends, the fear
of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom. Did the blessed hope OF the
gospel of Christ win you TO faith and
service? II that wins put fear out OF the
way. II would take an earthquake, or
the next thing, TO bring some OF you into
the kingdom Of God. ! ask this
taller was there not considerable
excitement want 10 ask you whether a
man can act intelligently when he is
frightened as badly rs you were? Do you
believe in emotional religion? He said:
81 must confess TO being tremendously
stirred up, but was neither able nor will
ing 10 control my emotion at that time. "
| My dear friend, you don't fear excitement
in business? Why, see some men so ex-
cited that they don't brush the cotton off
their clothes. When approached on the
subject OF religion they say, Don't press
that matter Just now" Men are stirred
mp about business. Don't you believe
in having mighty stir in politics? There
was good deal OF excitement when the
| President was here. People were glad
enough TO put up over night on boards
or stand mp behind doors in order to see
the President. Good deal Of excitement
then, wasn't there2
What's the reason you are afraid OF ex
element in religious matters2 II is be-
cause you are not honcst There will be
excitement in the presence Of God on the
last day. ask the jailer "Do you be-
licvc in sudden conversion" Conycr'
sion, mind you is right about
facet There IL the work
of regeneration, which is the work Of God
in mans heart, but conversion is 9
mans change OF hnse-a turning to
ward God. The Phillippian iailer says
81 was converted suddenly, but
none the less fully" would like TO gel
about 500 uncovered men together
would like TO talk TO them. Struggle. o
course there is struggle. There is a eur
rent To work against But God knows ia,
man who strives As long as We are down
here we will have 10 strive and strug
gle, but the Lord Jesus says
"Comc unto me and take my yok,
upon You and learn OF me, for my yoke il
easy and my burden is light" tell you
my brother, there is crown over yonder
where father and mother and sisters an,
brothers are. by and by our times com
ing. Ii has come To some OF your fricnd
here recently.
The speaker closed with an caTnes
prayer.
Mr.. Sayiord, in appointing the iniorma
CONVERSATIONAL for each evening ut
o'clock In the lcciurc-rOom OF the Cour
street church. requested the christians Il
avail themselves Of the special opportunit,
thus afforded for personal work, bringing
30 far rs possible, their undecided friends
who need help and encouragement, 10 hin
for interview.